1
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
a strong contender for the mayoral position
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in competitor
one who strives for the same thing as another
several contenders competing for the title of the city's best Italian restaurant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of contender
The awards contender starring Ralph Fiennes has a cume of $15.2 million.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
On immigration, both White House contenders were tied at 48 percent.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024
The headliner is No. 4 Ohio State at No. 3 Penn State, where the winner will be right next to No. 1 Oregon as the Big Ten's top contender.
—Tim Van Straten, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Watch on Deadline Oscar contenders Daughters, Zurawski v Texas, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, A New Kind of Wilderness, Union, and the acclaimed Mistress Dispeller and A Photographic Memory are among the other films on the Doc Fest slate.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contender 
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
On immigration, both White House contenders were tied at 48 percent.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024
The headliner is No. 4 Ohio State at No. 3 Penn State, where the winner will be right next to No. 1 Oregon as the Big Ten's top contender.
—Tim Van Straten, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Watch on Deadline Oscar contenders Daughters, Zurawski v Texas, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, A New Kind of Wilderness, Union, and the acclaimed Mistress Dispeller and A Photographic Memory are among the other films on the Doc Fest slate.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contender
Noun
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After 12 years, candidates would need to take a break of four years or more before running again for city office.Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Both candidates expressed confidence earlier this week as votes are still being counted.Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Democrat incumbent Liz Ortega also beat out her Republican competitor, Sangeetha Shanbhogue, 70% to 30% in the competition for the District 20 seat.Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
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Be sure to ask: • Who are your largest competitors, and what are their results?Nick Bereza, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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This week, both our contestants were nominated for their drive and enthusiasm inside and outside the classroom.Rebecca Loroff, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024
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Who went home on 'Survivor' Season 47, Episode 7? During the immunity and reward challenge, contestants were divided into two groups, with Probst telling players that only one of the teams would be safe.Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Before the bye week, Cal delivered its most complete performance of the season, a 44-7 non-conference rout of former Pac-12 rival Oregon State.Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
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Several of them pointed to his lack of follow-through on jailing his 2016 rival Hillary Clinton, while others say his ultimate retribution would be a successful term in office with a solid economy.William Gavin, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near contender
Cite this Entry
“Contender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contender. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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